$21 million announced for infrastructure projects in Cahokia Heights

The city of Cahokia Heights will receive $21 million for infrastructure projects, Gov. JB Pritzker has announced. The funding,  through the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan, will include rehabilitation of lift stations and improvements to the sewer collection system.

“No community should have to go without clean drinking water and functional waste infrastructure, and our Rebuild Illinois capital plan is investing across the state to correct those inequities,” Pritzker said.

“Today, I’m proud to announce more than $21 million in state funding that will bring 21st century wastewater infrastructure to the Cahokia Heights community. This new investment will upgrade the existing wastewater collection system and prevent the sewage flooding that has become notorious for area residents. This grant is another step toward justice for the Cahokia Heights community.”

Fuding includes a $9.9 million investment in rehabilitation or replacement for approximately 35 lift stations, 5,800 ft. of cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) liner (including 1,500 ft, of sewer line repair), and 3,500 feet of slip lining for the city’s main trunk line.

Lift stations are used in sewer collection systems throughout the country to move wastewater from lower to higher elevations, particularly where the elevation of the source is not sufficient for gravity flow. The rehabilitation needs in Cahokia Heights range from minor repairs, such as control panel repairs, to extensive rehabilitation or full replacement of pumps and structural components.

Slip lining and CIPP liner are trenchless methods to repair leaks or restore the structural stability to an existing pipeline, such as a sewer line. The slip lining improvements made are expected to last between 35 and 50 years.

Funding will also pay for modifications to the wastewater collection system, where many components of the system have exceeded their useful design life. These updates will improve collection efficiency, reliability, and ease of operation and maintenance, helping to prevent flood water from entering the sewer collection system during storm events and relieving stress on the system.

“Stable sewer systems are vital for a functioning community, as anyone without well-maintained sewers can tell you,” said State Representative LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis.

“Especially with high rainfall putting more pressure on our system, our community is seeing overflowing sewers that create unsafe driving conditions, damage to property and general hazards to public health. Rebuild Illinois is living up to its name right now, and I thank Governor Pritzker for such essential support.”

Source: Chicago Construction News